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WRITING FOR VIDEO GAMES

Written & Presented by WestyDesign

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Who am I?

  • Student of game design
  • Massive nerd
  • Creator of these games (and many others!)

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Writing for video games – what does that mean?

Character Writing

  • Influences

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Worldbuilding

  • Influencing

Environmental Storytelling

  • For Fun & Drama

There will be optional writing tasks for each example later.

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Character Writing

Genre Matters Most

Importance and plot impact may vary

Should be informed by worldbuilding

Believability matters, especially for protagonists

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Examples of character writing

Vaas Montenegro

GLaDOS

Sadie Adler

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Worldbuilding

Informs everything

Supported by lore & the little things

Acts as a backdrop for the story & implies that there is more going on

Often ends up being a giant web

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Examples of worldbuilding

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Environmental Storytelling

Tells the story of a place

Can enhance the story, worldbuilding, or be played for laughs.

Often bespoke / hidden and must be actively noticed

“Space itself can convey meaning – albeit in a supportive, rather than primary, role.” Elizabeth Goins

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Examples of Environmental Storytelling

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Writing task (10 minutes)

  • Check out the Google doc in chat – it contains a world that I’d like you to make a character for.�
  • With that character in mind, come up with an environment full of storytelling for them to discover.
  • How will they react?
  • What will encourage the player to take a closer look?
  • What will they find if they do?
  • Alternatively, how will your character turn it into an environment with a story?

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WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Discord servers & further reading

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Discord Servers

Into Games

Narrative design briefs & industry professionals

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Frictional Games

Creators of well-written horror games and really encourage fan works / fanfiction

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Post-Jam Productions

A great, relaxed place to chat with people who are always making games

(and to pitch your ideas!)

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Further reading

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THANKS FOR LISTENING!

Any questions?

@SquidGeneral10#4090

WestyDesign